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Latvia

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Last reviewed: 31 March 2009

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Latvia's Relations with Neighbours

Deportations and an influx of Russians into Latvia during the Soviet period have resulted in a situation in which native Latvian speakers comprise only 59% of the population. 16% of Latvian residents do not have citizenship: the majority of these people are Russian-speaking. By the citizenship law (ratified in a 1998 referendum) they have the right to apply for citizenship, but must pay a fee and demonstrate their loyalty to the state by passing a Latvian language and history exam. The rate of naturalisation increased after the EU referendum of September 2003 and by late 2005 100, 000 non-citizens had been naturalised, Some 370,000 non-citizens remain.

Russian allegations of systematic violation of the human rights of ethnic Russians have been declared unfounded by UN, OSCE and Council of Europe experts, as well as human rights organisations in Latvia.

Latvian-Russian relations continue to be complicated by questions concerning the rights of the ethnic Russian minority in Latvia, although the first half of 2007 has seen improved relations mainly due to the signing of the border agreement between the two countries.

A difficult issue in the relationship with Russia is that of the – now adopted – draft 'language law'. As initially drafted, this sought, against international norms, to impose the use of Latvian in private enterprises as well as in official institutions and public life. In December 1999, following pressure from the OSCE, Council of Europe, EU, and bilaterally, the Latvian Parliament adopted a largely acceptable law, which came into force in September 2000. Russia has complained about the new Latvian education law, which envisages a progressive transfer to predominantly Latvian language as the teaching medium in all state schools by late 2004. The High Commissioner for National Minorities has affirmed that this is in line with international norms.

In March 2007 Latvia and Russia finally signed the outstanding 2005 border agreement which had been stalled over historical land issues. The treaty came into force after exchange of ratification books in 18 December 2007.

Latvia has good relations with its Nordic neighbours and has built up links with the Nordic Council and the Council of the Baltic Sea States. It has also maintained close ties with Estonia and Lithuania, and participated in building up a joint Baltic capacity in the area of defence, especially the joint battalion, BALTBAT.

Latvia's Relations with the International Community

European Union

Latvia joined the European Union on 1 May 2004, having signed an accession treaty in March 2003. The referendum on EU membership on 20 September 2003 resulted in 67% support for EU membership. Latvia signed a Free Trade Agreement with the EU in 1994, and an Association (Europe) Agreement in 1995, paving the way to eventual accession to the EU. In October 1999 the European Commission recommended that an invitation to begin accession negotiations be extended to Latvia. This recommendation was endorsed at the Helsinki European Council on 10-11 December. Negotiations began in February 2000 and were completed on 13 December 2002.

NATO

Latvia was invited to join NATO at the summit in Prague in November 2002 and has formally joined in April 2004. This completed several years of preparation for NATO membership, including participation in the Membership Action Plan (MAP) process. The path to membership had been set out at summits in Madrid in July 1997 and Washington in April 1999. Latvia participated enthusiastically in NATO's Partnership for Peace, and became an Associate Partner of the WEU in 1994. Latvian soldiers have participated in peacekeeping operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq and Afghanistan.

Latvia hosted the NATO Summit in Riga in November 2006.

Latvia's relations with the UK

Britain had strong links with Latvia before the Soviet occupation and annexation in 1940, which the UK never recognised de jure. Latvia's struggle for independence in 1918 was assisted by the Royal Navy (supported by the French Navy). With her European Partners, the UK recognised the restoration of Latvian independence on 27 August 1991. Diplomatic relations were restored in early September 1991 and the British Embassy opened in Riga in October of the same year. Relations with Latvia are very close and friendly.

UK Development Assistance

Latvia benefited from many programmes under DFID's bilateral programme (former Know How Fund). This assistance ended in 2003 because of Latvia's imminent accession to the EU. But the UK continues to fund a bilateral action plan to help Latvia adjust to membership.

The UK has also provided considerable training for Latvia's military forces and support for its NATO ambitions. These have been delivered through multilateral programmes – the BALTIC projects, and the bilateral programme – the Outreach Programme. Key areas are English Language Training (ELT) (Outreach) and basic infantry training (BALTIC - for BALBAT, the joint Baltic Peacekeeping Battalion).

Cultural Relations with the UK

The British Council has an office in Riga.

Recent Visits

Inward

  • Maris Riekstins (Foreign Minister) October 2008
  • Edgars Zalans (Minister of Regional Development and Local Government) in July 2008
  • Aigars Stokenbergs (Finance Minister) in July 2006
  • President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in July 2006
  • President Vike-Freiberga in May 2004
  • Sandra Kalniete (Foreign Minister) in July 2003
  • Andris Berzins (Prime Minister) in March 2002
  • Indulis Berzins (Foreign Minister) in January 2002      

Outward

  • Lord Greville Janner of Braunstone QC in May 2008
  • John Mann MP (Parliamnetary Committee Against Antisemitism) in December 2007
  • Mr Tony Blair (Prime Minister) for the NATO Summit, Riga in November 2006
  • Mr Rhodri Morgan (Welsh first Minister) in October 2006
  • Margaret Beckett (Minister for Foreign Affairs) in October 2006
  • State Visit by HMQ Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh in October 2006
  • Douglas Alexander (Minister for Europe) in June 2005
  • Dr Stephen Ladyman (Transport Minister) in June 2005
  • Ivor Caplin (then Defence Minister) in January 2005
  • All-Party Arts and Heritage Group in September 2004
  • Alderman Robert Finch, Lord Mayor of London, in June 2004
  • Gerry Sutcliffe (then Trade Minister) in May 2004
  • Mr Rhodri Morgan (Welsh First Minister) in September 2003
  • Lord Irvine of Lairg (then Lord Chancellor) in May 2003
  • Denis MacShane (then Minister for Europe) in March 2003
  • Baroness Blackstone (then Culture Minister) in February 2003
  • Mr Hoon (then Defence Secretary) in February 2002
  • HRH the Prince of Wales in 2001
  • Mr Spellar (then Minister for the Armed Forces) in 2000

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